April
2001 ACFOA: Walsh: East Timor's Political Party Profiles: PST
Complete
text of report [150KB] added May 22, 2001
"Socialist Party of Timor is a
Fretilin
splinter party. Founded in the 1990’s in Indonesia it grew out of
student
and labour groups based in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities where
East
Timorese studied and worked. Its membership is predominantly youth but
it includes a number of older FALINTIL and FRETILIN members from the
left
wing of FRETILIN. It is based on Marxist-Leninist principles of
philosophy
and organisation and, through peaceful educational means, is dedicated
to the construction of a socialist, classless society in East Timor
liberated
from all forms of colonialism, imperialism, paternalism and
exploitation.
It is primarily concerned with the situation of workers and farmers.
...
PST has international links with a range of political organisations
including
the Portuguese Communist Party, the Dutch Greens, the Democratic
Socialist Party (DSP) in Australia and PRD in Indonesia." Pat
Walsh, Human rights consultant,
Australian
Council for Overseas Aid

5 Mar 2001 ETO: Political parties and Pro-Independence
Forces: PST
Report updated Apr 27, 2001
"Socialist Party of Timor PST:
The Timorese Socialist Party is always mentioned whenever an event is
labour-related.
It organises workers’ demonstrations and their employment-related
claims,
negotiates between strikers and employers, and intervenes if a protest
becomes too rowdy. It uses Marxism as a tool, says Avelino Coelho da
Silva.
"We don´t accept the argument that political parties will
divide
East Timor – rather the lack of democratic culture will" (IPS,
Darwin,
14-4)."
East Timor Observatory

Jan - Apl 2000 Max
Lane:
A brief introduction to the Socialist Party of Timor
Link to overview added Jan 19, 2002
http://www.dsp.org.au/links/back/issue14/14pst.html
Contents: * The development of Timorese
society * Strategies for the struggle for socialism * Cooperatives and
politics * Mass action * The concept of the party

News:

Aug
29 GLW: Elections mark new step toward independence
Article
added Aug 31, 2001
"Overall there is
very little to distinguish the contesting parties from each other. In
many
cases their platforms or policies are identical. Most espouse support
for
a “free-market” economy. The only exception is the Socialist Party
of
Timor (PST) which has consistently focused on developing a base
among
workers and the rural poor through establishing peasant cooperatives
and
campaigning for better wages and conditions for East Timorese employed
by the UN and private businesses. The 5000 strong rally the PST
organised
in Dili on August 25 reflects its growing influence." Jon Land,
Indonesia
- East Timor Campaign Watch

Jul
19 TP: PST does not want Constituent Assembly to be like National
Council
News from ETimor added July 20, 2001
“The regulations that were passed in the
NC reflected the needs of the administration and not that of the
people.
These regulations did not take into account actual realities, ... I do
not want to be in a so-called legislative body [the Constituent
Assembly]
where I will be used as a rubber-stamp and cannot perform my duties as
a people’s representative,” Avelinho Coelho, the secretary-general of
the
Timor
Socialist Party (PST)

Jul
4 GLW: New party in East Timor faces election challenge
Article added July 12, 2001
"In the lead-up to the elections, the
PST [Socialist Party of Timor] has launched a new political
manual
designed to give a basic introduction to the party for new members. The
15-page publication sets out, and answers, “frequently asked questions”
about the PST: its structure, its program on social, political and
economic
issues. The PST has put forward 75 candidates for the Constituent
Assembly
election, 19 of whom, including its top candidate, are women. In a
surprise
move, the list does not include its high-profile general secretary,
Avelino
Coelho da Silva. Coelho said he would be focusing his attention on
other
areas of the party’s activities." Vanya Tanaja

To
add info regarding political parties send to BACK
DOOR's email address: wildwood@pcug.org.auInformation from
East Timorese political parties or movements are especially welcomed.
No
postage required.Postal
address: BACK DOOR GPO Box 59 Canberra
City ACT 2601 Australia